Image source: topwar.ru
Footage has been published online showing the flight of a Russian X-101 missile over Kiev with a working L-504 trap shooting system. The footage shows how, at the final segment of the trajectory of approach to the target, heat traps designed to counter air defense systems begin to shoot off from the missile.
The Russian Aerospace Forces have recently begun using upgraded X-101 missiles equipped with heat traps to strike military targets in Ukraine. As the missile enters the area of active enemy air defense and approaches the intended target, it begins to shoot four traps each. In total, the upgraded X-101 is capable of firing six heat traps.
Image source: topwar.ru
Image source: topwar.ru
In addition to the L-504 trap shooting module developed by the Samara Research Institute "Ekran", the upgraded version of the X-101 rocket is equipped with an optical trajectory correction system based on satellite images "Otblesk-U" and a radar radiation warning module.
The Ukrainian side has traditionally claimed the alleged downing of all X-101 cruise missiles fired from Russian Tu-95MS strategic bombers, but numerous leaked footage, including moments of successful target destruction, indicate the opposite. At the same time, against the background of the shortage of ammunition for air defense systems on the Ukrainian side, the percentage of downed missiles and kamikaze drones continues to steadily decrease.
